Annual Report 2012 Ferris State University Department of P ublic ...

Annual Report 2012 

Ferris State University Department of Public Safety

Table of Contents 

Law Enforcement Code of Ethics 2 

Statement of Purpose 3 

Organizational Chart 4 

Message From the Director 5 

Department Personnel 6 -10 

Police Personnel 

Emergency Management Specialist 

Police Cadets 

Police Chaplain 

Clerical Personnel 

Student Staff 

Officer Citations 11 

Officer Training 12-15 

RAD Training 16 

What’s New at Public Safety 17-19 

Officer Andrew McKee 

On Line Guest Permits 

RAD Grant 

Michigan Police Shoot 

Evidence Technicians 

2012 Highlights 20 –25 

Shop With a Cop 

Clery 

10 Years of Effort and Success 

Pedestrian Safety Continuing Efforts 

FSU Traffic Safety Team 

Criminal Justice Advisory Board 

Regional Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony 

Student Government Liaison 

Leadership Mecosta Advisory Board 

MACLEA Bomb Threat Workshop 

Mecosta/Osceola Career Center Public Safety Advisory Board 

Emergency Operations and Preparedness 26-30 


BRT/TAT 

Emergency Outdoor Broadcast System 

VOIP Phones/Classroom Emergency Phones 

Novell In-Class Messaging 

Bluelight Phones 

City of Big Rapids Fire Department 

BRDPS Director, Andrea Nerbonne 

C-CERT 

Active Shooter and Flash Point Training Programs 

Personal and Professional Preparedness Education 

StormReady® University 

Emergency Operations Plan 

Police Operations 

Distracted Driving 31–32 

Community Policing, Community Policing Coordinator 

Parking Management 33 

Vehicle Registration 34 

Criminal and Non-criminal activity 35–36 

Comparison graphs – Vehicle registration i - iii 

Comparison graphs – Criminal – Non-criminal i - iii 

About Our Cover: 

The empty chair supporting a police officer’s equipment and adorned by a single white rose 

reminds us of our loss. This picture was taken at our 2012 Central West Michigan Regional 

Police Memorial as we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our society. 

We began our regional event at Ferris in 2004. Cover photo by Bill Bitzinger

LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS 

"As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve 

mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent 

against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, 

and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the 

Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice. 

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain 

courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop 

self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. 

Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I 

will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the 

regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a 

confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity 

will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the 

performance of my duty. 

I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, 

animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no 

compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, 

I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear 

or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or 

violence and never accepting gratuities. 

I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I 

accept it as a public trust to be held as long as I am true to the 

ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these 

objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen 

profession ... law enforcement." 

2

Our purp pose is to o serve an nd protectt 

the studdents, 

faculty, staff s and d visitors of o Ferris State Unniversity. 

further the t acade emic purs suits of FFSU 

in twwo 

ways: 

actually keeping people p an nd properrty 

safe aand 

in 

helping to t create an envir ronment wwhere 

peoople 

feel 

complete ely safe. 

To otal Criminal 

Of ffenses* 

crimes 

against 

pe ersons** 

crimes 

against 

pro operty** 

Sta atemen nt of Puurposee 

2012 2011 2 

547 

28 

186 

Crime 

Snapshhot 

Act tual 

Difference 

527 +2 20 

29 - 1 

157 +2 29 + +18% 

*in ncludes all criminal 

reports and public order, 

liquor laaw, 

drug, desttruction, 

drivinng, 

etc c. 

**a actual propert ty crimes and d crimes again nst persons oonly 

(se ee page 35) 

3 

% 

Chaange 

+4% 

-3% 

To

Officers 

Justin Kandt 

Aaron Humphreys 

Andrew McKee 

Students 

Foot Patrol 

Special Events 

Sgt. Diana Hepler 

Sgt. James Wing 

Night Supervisors 

2012 Organizational Chart 

Officers 

Michael Chamberlain 

Randall Los 

Joy Paquette 

Students 

Foot Patrol 

Special Events 

Officers 

Thomas Adams 

Nicholas Greenway 

William Saunders 

Ferris State University 

Department of Public Safety 

Julie Courtney 

Public Safety 

Records Specialist 

Timothy Jacobs 

Detective/Sergeant 

Day Supervisor 

Dispatch 

Student Dispatchers 

Students 

Public Service 

Officers 

Martin J. Bledsoe 

Director 

James M. Cook 

Assistant Director 

4 

Police Cadets 

Kim Pyles 

Parking Clerk 

June Swanson 

Office Supervisor 

Student Clerk 

Carla Hatfield 

Parking Clerk

Message from the Director – 2012 

Director MJ Bledsoe 

This is a very special milestone as I complete my fortieth year in law enforcement; roughly, the first three 

decades with the City of Farmington Hills police department, and the last decade with the Ferris State University 

Department of Public Safety. It’s my time now to call it a career, which I will do in January 2013. It has been an 

incredible life and journey. The entrepreneur in me has led to another aspect of this calling and that chapter is 

personal protection and security consulting. No sidelines for me! 

The experience from city to university has been “exactly the same, only different” as the humorous saying goes. 

Cops, crooks and citizens are in many ways quite the same no matter from where they hail. The expectations can 

be a bit different from political subdivision to higher-education though. This is primarily in the follow-up and 

follow-through expected at a university as well as the options of administrative sanctions for employees and 

students who are in violation of the law. These administrative options are regularly used instead of or in concert 

with the law, depending on severity of the crime and history of the perpetrator. 

Change has come to Ferris State University in the area of law and order over the past ten years and the news is 

quite favorable. First, to note the drop in crime of an impressive 41%, a graph and narrative reflecting that is in 

the section of this annual report titled Highlights. Second, note the great progress made in the past ten years 

promoting voluntary parking compliance. The many things that have been done to make this 60% drop in the 

number of parking violations needing to be issued is likewise explained and graphically depicted in the report 

section called Highlights. Finally, the last ten years have been spent vastly improving the preparation, 

notification and response capabilities in the area of emergency management. There is always more to do, of 

course. 

It has been my pleasure to serve the community and work alongside some of law enforcement’s very best, not to 

mention the citizen partners who have chosen safety and security as primary goals. These are challenging times 

with the shocking episodes of crime and terror visited on the peaceful and innocent people of our society. 

Incidents of crime are on the rise nation-wide and if the numbers overall are small but you are the victim, that 

brings little solace. Dedicated people from all walks of life are willing to face the challenge and I intend to 

continue partnering with them. Will you join us? 

5

Department Personnel 

Command Staff 

Director Assistant Director 

Martin J. Bledsoe James M. Cook 

Detective Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant 

Timothy Jacobs Diana Hepler James Wing 

6

Patrol Officers 

Officer hjghgjghjghjhhjhghgjjg Officer P Patro Officer 

Thomas Adams Michael Chamberlain Nicholas Greenway 

Officer Officer Officer 

Aaron Humphreys Justin Kandt Randall Los 

Officer Officer Officer 

Andrew McKee Joy Paquette William Saunders 

7

Officer Bill Saunders 


Police Cadets 

Police Cadets are instrumental in assisting our patrol officers and civilian staff in providing a safe and secure 

environment for our community to live and work. They also support the patrol officers as directed and assist 

with supervision of our student worker groups. This is an incredible learning opportunity for them as they 

prepare their career lives. 

Cadet Sam Bradley Cadet Mitch Campbell Cadet Dejujuan Nelson 

Pastor Jon Fleming 

The Ferris State University Department of Public Safety is responsible 

for emergency management for the University. Officer Bill Saunders 

has been appointed to the position of emergency management 

specialist and has taken on the task of coordinating those activities 

along with being a road patrol officer. Officer Saunders has been busy 

implementing our new emergency response plan which was fashioned 

along FEMA guidelines and conducting training activities for faculty 

and staff across campus. Bill is currently working toward obtaining his 

Professional Emergency Management certification. 

Police Chaplain 

No one is confronted with more situations that demoralize and create emotional, 

mental and spiritual burdens than today's law enforcement officer. These burdens 

not only affect the officer and other members of his or her department but also 

affect the officer's family. Law enforcement agencies need the specialized 

guidance, counseling and assistance for their officers, families and communities 

that a police chaplain can provide. 

Chaplains listen and participate in the workplace of law enforcement officers with 

empathy and experience, calmly advising in the midst of turmoil and danger, and 

offering assistance when appropriate or requested. Chaplain Fleming has been 

with our agency since 2007. 

Pastor Fleming regularly gives the invocation at the Police Memorial service in May. He is a member of the 

International Association of Police Chaplains and continues to make himself available to officers on a regular basis. 

8

Clerical Staff 

The clerical staff is responsible for the key functions of communication and service to the 

University community in areas of general information dissemination and coordination of 

parking services, including permit issuance and violations processing. Hundreds of 

students, faculty, staff and campus visitors make contact with the Department each 

month. The clerical staff’s main goal is to provide efficient and friendly service. Our 

parking management policies and procedures are regularly evaluated and updated to help 

us ensure that result, with regular input by this team of professionals. 

O 

Office Supervisor Public Safety Records Specialist 

June Swanson Julie Courtney 

Parking Clerk Parking Clerk 

Carla Hatfield Kim Pyles 

9

Our Student Employees 

The Department employs approximately 34 students throughout the year. Our student 

staff is vital to the success of the Department. Students are employed as police cadets, 

dispatchers, office clerical, parking enforcement, foot patrol, special events and traffic 

control. Most are students studying some aspect of criminal justice at FSU. 

DISPATCH 

TRAFFIC CONTROL 

CADETS 

FOOT PATROL 

CLERICAL 

SPECIAL EVENTS 

PARKING 

ENFORCEMENT 

10

Officer Citations 

Diana Hepler 11-0642 Investigation and arrest of a suspect 

Timothy Jacobs involved in a felonious assault at the Sports 

Complex. 

Timothy Jacobs 12-0038 Investigation and arrest of a suspect 

involved in a bomb threat on the 

FSU campus 

Joy Paquette 12-0292 Investigation and arrest of a suspect 

involved in a malicious damage of property 

complaint at the Holiday Inn. 

Nicholas Greenway 12-0413 Investigation and arrest of a suspect 

Diana Hepler involved in a larceny from the Student Rec. 

Center. 

Aaron Humphreys 12-0490 Investigation of a larceny/receiving and 

concealing stolen property complaint at 

Miller Hall. 

Certificates of Recognition 

William Saunders In recognition of your role as the Emergency Management 

Specialist and your efforts regarding the Emergency 

Operations Plan. 

James Wing In recognition of your initiative in obtaining a grant which 

resulted in an award in excess of $7,000.00 to support 

RAD. 

Sergeant Hepler & Director Bledsoe Director Bledsoe & Officer Greenway 

Director Bledsoe & Officer Humphreys 

11

Officer Training 

Over the past seventeen years, the Department has participated in the Central West 

Michigan Law Enforcement Training Consortium (CWMLETC). This training allows our 

officers to participate in a number of quality in-service training courses in Big Rapids. 

Each officer receives approximately 40 hours of training in various law enforcement 

areas per year. Additionally, the Department routinely sends our officers outside of Big 

Rapids for advanced, specialized training. 

Officer Course Date Hours Location 

THOMAS ADAMS: 

MARTIN BLEDSOE: 

MICHAEL CHAMBERLAIN: 

1. Defensive Tactics 04/11/2012 8 Big Rapids 

2. Forensic Interview of Children 05/10/2012 16 Big Rapids 

3. Defensive Tactics 07/23/1012 8 Big Rapids 

4. Firearms, Qualification 07/24/2012 8 Big Rapids 

5. Interview & Interrogation 08/08/2012 8 Big Rapids 


7. DataMaster/SFST 12/06/2012 8 Grand Rapids 

Total Training Hours – 2012 64 

1. MACP Winter Conference 02/09/2012 4 Grand Rapids 

2. MACLEA Spring Conference 05/23/2012 12 Bay City 

3. FEMA IS-00907 05/30/2012 1 Big Rapids 

4. MACP Training Conference 06/26/2012 8 Harbor Springs 

5. FBINAA Fall Conference 09/07/2012 20 Acme 

6. Firearms Qualification 10/22/2012 3 Big Rapids 

7. Social Media in Investigations 10/29/2012 7 Flint 



2. Advanced Meth Training 04/24/2012 8 Big Rapids 






8. Latent Print Development 10/10/2012 8 Big Rapids 



12


JAMES COOK: 

NICHOLAS GREENWAY: 

DIANA HEPLER: 

AARON HUMPHREYS: 

1. Grant Workshop 01/24/2012 8 Gaylord 

2. Supervisory Liability Training 04/27/2012 21 Big Rapids 

3. 2012 Homeland Security Conf. 05/05/2012 8 Grand Rapids 

4. Grant Workshop 06/19/2012 4 Gaylord 

5. Social Media in Investigations 10/31/2012 7 Grand Rapids 


1. LE Response to Non-Stranger SA 01/25/2012 16 Lansing 

2. Street Survival 03/27/2012 16 Mt. Pleasant 









1. Evidence Technician School 03/02/2012 80 Auburn Hills 


















13


TIMOTHY JACOBS: 

JUSTIN KANDT: 

RANDALL LOS: 

ANDREW MCKEE: 









9. Social Media in Investigations 10/31/2012 7 Grand Rapids 

10. Bomb Awareness/Threats 12/05/2012 4 Ypsilanti 




























6. FTO Training 08/09/2012 480 Big Rapids 

7. Bomb Awareness/Threats 12/05/2012 4 Ypsilanti 



14


JOY PAQUETTE: 

WILLIAM SAUNDERS: 

JAMES WING: 












4. 2012 Homeland Security Conf. 05/05/2012 8 Grand Rapids 

















8. MI Police Executive Dev. Sem. 10/05/2012 40 Lewiston 




Left -Defensive Tactics Training 

Right - AED/Defibrillator Training 

15

The Rape Aggression Defense 

System of Physical Defense is 

currently being taught at many 

Colleges and Universities and has been 

a popular program offered by Ferris 

State University Campus Police since 

1999, by Sgt. James Wing and Officer 

Joy Paquette. Officer Nick Greenway 

joined the instructor team in 2010. 

Two classes were put on during 2012. 

Over two hundred women have been 

trained here at Ferris since RAD's 

implementation. Ferris Campus Police 

is proud to offer this service free of 

charge to FSU students, faculty, staff 

and members of the community. 

RAD Training 

16 

The Rape Aggression Defense System is a 

program of realistic, self-defense tactics and 

techniques. The RAD System is a comprehensive 

course for women that begins with awareness, 

prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while 

progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense 

training. The session ends with participants 

engaging in various realistic scenario training 

where they react upon being attacked.

What’s New at Public Safety 

Officer Andrew McKee 

Officer Andrew McKee joined the department 

in 2012. Officer McKee is a 2010 graduate of 

Grand Rapids Community College police 

academy. Before becoming employed by Ferris 

State University Police Department, he worked 

as a patrol officer for the city of Roosevelt 

Park. Officer McKee is certified in firefighter I 

and II, and is also hazmat operations level 

certified. He worked as a firefighter and 

medical first responder for Crockery Twp. 

fire/rescue from 2006 to 2012. 

On-line Guest Permits 

17 

Officer McKee & Director Bledsoe 

In 2012 we began the process to 

implement online guest permits 

(Privileged Parker), which will 

streamline the parking process for 

individuals visiting our campus. 

The anticipated date of completion 

is January 2013.

lklklkppo 

RAD Grant 

Through the efforts of Sgt. Wing, the Public Safety Department was awarded a Ferris 

Foundation Exceptional Merit Grant in the amount of $7205.58 for the purchase of new 

equipment for the RAD program. The gear was in need of updating since it was the original 

equipment which has been in use since the program began in 1999. The new gear was utilized in 

October and was very helpful in running the program’s largest class to date with 26 students. 

The gear included 2 new instructor suits, 12 student suits, 2 large body targets, 2 large folding 

mats, equipment bags and instructor attire. With these items, the class can accommodate more 

students and the training can be done in a safer and more efficient manner. We are also in the 

process of offering the training at Kendall College. 

Capt. Cook & Officer Chamberlain 

Some of the RAD equipment purchased through 

Sgt. Wing’s efforts. 

Michigan Police Shoot 

In August, Captain James Cook and Officer Michael 

Chamberlain competed in the Michigan Police Pistol 

Match in Jackson, MI. They competed against other 

officers from departments with a sworn strength of 

between 8 and 20 officers placing second amongst that 

shooting class. They also took first place in the college 

and university police department category. 

18

Evidence Technicians 

A police Evidence Technician collects, identifies and 

processes crime scene evidence. Collecting physical 

evidence is an important aspect of solving crimes. Ferris 

State University Public Safety has recognized this fact and 

began formally training its sergeants as Evidence 

Technicians. 

This program is an update to the training that all officers 

and sergeants received in 2008 from the Kent County 

Sheriff Department’s Scientific Support Unit. This 

program allowed Ferris State University police personnel 

to learn first hand from full-time Evidence Technicians the 

skills of the trade. 

The formal Evidence Technician certification is a two 

week intensive training that covers computer crimes, 

photography, fingerprinting, DNA collection as well as 

many other areas of forensic science. 

Ferris State University Public Safety has also researched 

and purchased equipment that will assist with evidence 

collection. 

Patrol officers are still tasked with collecting the basic 

evidence at all crime scenes. 

19 

The 2013 Ford Interceptor is used as 

the Evidence Technician/Supervisor 

vehicle. The vehicle carries the tools 

necessary to process a crime scene.

2012 Highlights 

Shop with a Cop 

Det/Sgt. Jacobs, Officer Greenway, Officer McKee 

and Cadet Bradley participated in the “Shop with a 

Cop” program. This program provides 

disadvantaged children the opportunity to shop for 

family members during the holiday season with a 

police officer. 

Clery 

It is the responsibility of the Department of Public Safety, 

in concert with other departments on campus, to ensure 

that our University is in compliance with the ever 

changing regulations of the Department of Education, 

Clery Act. This past year, we assisted Kendall College of 

Art & Design in their efforts to become compliant as a 

separate campus. We also collected crime data and 

reported crime statistics for nine other off campus 

locations on separate campuses. 

The goal of the Clery Act is to provide students and their 

families with accurate, complete and timely information 

about safety on campus so that they can make informed 

decisions. 

20

p 

10 Years of Effort and Success—Special Report 

Crime being down is good news; crime being down by a 41% margin is very good news. There have 

been many good Ferris people making a solid effort to raise the academic standards and lower the 

incidents of crime, included among them the men and women of public safety.* 

Incidents per 1000 people 

The types of crimes have changed substantially, going from more serious crimes to lesser violations 

often referred to as public order crimes. In many cases, we can handle minor infractions with a referral 

to the Office of Student Conduct or a warning by the officer. This decreases the necessity of arresting 

people and processing them through the court system.* 

Arrests per 1000 people 

80 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

FSU 10 Year Crime Rate -41% 

76 45 

Yr 2002 Yr 2012 

54 29 


*These are ‘per capita’ figures as they are customarily reported. See tables later in this report for actual counts. 

21 

per capita crime rate 

10 Year Arrest Rate by FSU DPS -46% 

Arrests 2002 to 2012

10 Years of Effort and Success—Special Report 

The population of the Big Rapids campus has increased substantially over 10 years. Student and 

employee numbers are greater while incidents of crime are reduced. ** 

12,000 

11,800 

11,600 

11,400 

11,200 

11,000 

10,800 

10,600 

10,400 

10,200 

10,000 

10,725 11,867 

A comprehensive effort to improve availability and more systematically protect a resource paid for by 

permit purchasers resulted in an impressive drop in numbers of tickets needing to be issued. Voluntary 

compliance has increased considerably and the commensurate money fines and citizen complaints 

have plummeted. 

40,000 

35,000 

30,000 

25,000 

20,000 

15,000 

10,000 

5,000 

0 

10 yr BR Campus Population +11% 


33,340 13,291 


**There are strict reporting/audit measures by the state and federal government to assure accuracy nationwide. 

22 

2002 to 2012 FSU BR 

Population 

FSU DPS 10 Year Parking Tickets -60% 

Tickets issued

Pedestrian Safety Continuing Efforts 

The collective efforts of traffic safety specialists, being the 

enforcement community, the professional engineers, and the 

various departments of transportation continue their work in 

making pedestrian travel much safer. Projects of particular note 

are the lighting at crossing points and the new pedestrian 

crosswalk just north of the intersection of Perry Street and State 

Street. This traffic control signal allows for the free flow of 

vehicular traffic until the green, yellow, red lighting sequence is 

initiated by a pedestrian. The dangerous situation that has been 

nearly eliminated by this new light is the prior uncontrolled 

crossing at the tip of the median just to the north at Morrison 

Street. 

FSU Traffic Safety Team in Partnership with Traffic Improvement 

Association of Michigan (TIA MI) 

We at Ferris have a wonderful partnership with 

TIA Michigan. TIA MI Executive Director James 

Santilli is a Ferris alum and was integral in 

shaping our FSU Traffic Safety Team when he 

was here as a student just a few short years ago. 

Jim was SGFSU’s representative to the FSU TST 

and created some of the best training initiatives 

still saving lives at Ferris today. As one of the 

highest level traffic safety professionals in the 

State of Michigan, Jim Santilli continues to 

participate in helping Ferris people to travel 

safely. 

Criminal Justice Advisory Board 

Director Bledsoe and Captain Cook remain active on the Ferris State University Criminal Justice 

Advisory Board. Through this board, the criminal justice department keeps abreast of current 

trends affecting officers and departments throughout the state. New ideas for teaching or topics of 

concern are brought forward in this forum for future program consideration. 

23

Officer 

MM M 

Regional Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony 

‘IN VALOR THERE IS HOPE’ 

In May of 2012, members of the Ferris State University Police were joined by police officers from across the 

region to honor and remember those officers killed in the line of duty. Ceremony attendees included: 

faculty/staff, students, family and members of the Big Rapids community, and beyond. 

The week of May 15 is nationally recognized as “Police Week”, to pay tribute to the 17,000 law enforcement 

officers who have been killed in the performance of their duty. The ceremony at Ferris is fast becoming a 

favorite among police departments and the officers. The ceremony traditionally includes bagpipers, a 21 

gun salute, Taps, the placing of the wreath, flag ceremony and an Irish Blessing sung by Big Rapids Middle 

School students. 

The public was invited to meet with the officers following the ceremony. 

Guest presenters included: Vice President Jerry Scoby, Chaplain Jon Fleming, Prosecutor Pete Jaklovic, 

Sheriff Todd Purcell, MSP Trooper Joseph Rowley and the Big Rapids Middle School choir. 

24

Student Government Liaison 

Leadership Mecosta Advisory Board 

The department continues its support for the local community by 

participating in Leadership Mecosta sponsored by the Mecosta 

County Area Chamber of Commerce. Director Bledsoe, Capt. 

Cook and D/Sgt. Jacobs previously participated in the program 

and have served on that program’s executive board with Jacobs 

currently serving in that capacity. 

Student Government is an important link between our 

department and the student population on campus. We regularly 

work with Student Government President Byron Williams. 

Captain Cook has taken it upon himself to attend their meetings 

monthly to address any issues that are on the minds of the 

students as they pertain to the police department. 

MACLEA Bomb Threat Workshop 

Ferris State University hosted the fall MACLEA meeting. (Michigan 

Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators) The 

emphasis of this meeting was on bomb threat response as it pertains to 

all campuses. 

On September 14th, 2012, D/Sgt. Jacobs presented to MACLEA, the 

response, investigation and conclusion of a bomb threat that occurred 

earlier in the year on Ferris's campus. This presentation detailed 

resources and technology used to assist with the investigation which 

ultimately solved this crime. The best practices with these 

investigations where shared as well as lessons learned. 

Mecosta/Osceola Career Center Public Safety Advisory Board 

One of the ways FSU DSP is able to assist the greater Big Rapids community is in the teaching of 

boys and girls in our schools. The Mecosta Osceola Career Center (MOCC) in the Intermediate 

School District has a public safety program that helps to encourage and give initial training to 

interested young people. Ferris officers attend regular meetings to help the schools plan curricula 

and advise on techniques to inform and prepare the students. We have also given them surplus 

equipment and arranged ride along opportunities. Some students have gone on to enter these career 

fields and attend Ferris State. 

25

Officer William Saunders 

Emergency Operations and Preparedness 

Captain Cook has obtained his Fire Fighter Certification I & II 

through the Michigan Fire Fighters Training Council. With that 

certification, he is better able to coordinate with fire departments 

and hazardous materials responders in the event of a HazMat 

incident on campus. He has also received numerous training hours 

in arson investigation and has served on the Mecosta County Fire 

Investigation Unit. 

Emergency management is a top priority for the 

Department of Public Safety. Officer Saunders has been 

working with emergency management in a specialist 

capacity since 2010. Much of his time this year was 

devoted to finishing the revision of the Emergency 

Operation Plan. He also trained the Emergency 

Response Team and Building Coordinators in its use. 

He is currently working on completing his training to 

become a certified Professional Emergency Manager. 

BRT/TAT 

The police department continues its support and guidance with the Behavior Review Team (BRT) 

and Threat Assessment Team (TAT). In an effort to head off a problem with any one individual, a 

smaller group of employees meet on a weekly basis to discuss student behaviors observed or 

reported to officials. Through this close interaction between the Office of Student Conduct, 

Housing, Police and Student Affairs, behaviors are reviewed with response strategies discussed in an 

effort to curb improper conduct before it causes greater harm to the individual student or the 

University as a whole. 

26 

Captain Jim Cook

Emergency Outdoor Broadcast System 

The outdoor broadcast system was completed and tested in 2009. The 

system includes seven, 40-foot metal poles mounted with speakers placed 

throughout the Ferris Big Rapids campus to provide maximum coverage. 

The system gives University officials the ability to broadcast emergency 

messages across campus. The emergency outdoor broadcast system is 

tested on a regular basis in conjunction with siren testing with the City of 

Big Rapids. This testing is conducted on the 1 st Saturday of each month at 

1pm. 

Officer 

MM M 

VOIP Phones/Classroom Emergency Phones 

The first phase of a three phase project to install voice-over internet 

protocol phones into classrooms was completed. In conjunction with the 

IT department, 176 phones were installed in 2009. They are used to 

quickly send critical information such as time-sensitive safety issues or 

notifications of campus closings due to weather or other disruptions. An 

audible alert will sound and text messages will display on the phone. 

Novell In-Class Messaging 

In the early months of 2009, a chat client called “Groupwise 

Messenger” was installed in all Smart classroom teaching stations 

on the Big Rapids FSU campus. The program is being used as an 

emergency broadcast notification method. When an emergency 

message is sent using this program, a pop-up box appears on the 

computer screen with emergency information. An audible alert 

accompanies the message. To ensure that the system is working 

properly and to familiarize users, two tests of this system are 

conducted per semester. 

Bluelight Phones 

Additional bluelight phones were installed to provide further access to 

emergency services across the campus. Thirty-nine phones are currently 

operational. The fortieth and final bluelight phone has been installed with 

the completion of the new Optometry Building. 

City of Big Rapids Fire 

27

City of Big Rapids Fire 

The City of Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, Fire Division provides fire services to the Ferris 

State University Big Rapids campus. During 2012, BRDPS responded to the following Ferris calls: 

Incident Type # of % of 

Calls calls 

Fire 1 1.30% 

Rescue & EMS 63 81.82% 

Hazardous Conditions (No fire) 3 3.90% 

Service Call 1 1.30% 

Explosion 1 1.30% 

False Alarm & False Call 8 10.39% 

Grand Total: 77 

Response times of Big Rapids DPS Fire ranged from one minute to eleven minutes with an average 

response time of 5.44 minutes. Ferris State University appreciates the excellent fire and rescue 

response provided by the City of Big Rapids DPS. 

City of Big Rapids Department of Public Safety Director, Andrea Nerbonne 

C-CERT 

The C-CERT team has partnered with a newly developing 

CERT team through the City of Big Rapids. The two groups 

now hold joint basic training sessions. This has been a great 

way to bring students and community members together for a 

worthwhile cause in addition to improving overall capabilities 

of volunteer emergency resources. The C-CERT team now 

operates according to a set of Standard Operating Guidelines. 

In 2012, Andrea Nerbonne was appointed as the City of Big 

Rapids Director of Public Safety. Director Nerbonne has 

continued the support and cooperation of our agencies to 

ensure the safety of our students, employees and visitors. 

28

Active Shooter Preparedness, Prevention and Response and Flash Point 

Training Programs 

An active shooter on campus is something that no one wants to experience, but the threat does 

exist and the consequences of not being prepared are devastating. The Department of Public Safety 

continues to educate the Ferris community with the Active Shooter Preparedness, Prevention and 

Response and Flashpoint programs. These programs are taught to all incoming staff and faculty 

during their new employee orientation, to all housing staff during the yearly training for hall 

directors, resident advisors and desk staff, and to all groups or classes that request it. Since their 

inception in 2008, approximately 4,000 individuals have been trained with these programs on Ferris’ 

campus. 

Flashpoint is a program designed to teach faculty, staff and students methods of identifying and preventing 

acts of violence on campus. It is presented by DPS personnel and uses both a professional video specifically 

designed for the University environment. Our officers’ knowledge of lessons learned from incidents that 

have occurred on campuses across the nation help participants understand how to identify behaviors of 

concern and dispel the myths that often accompany acts of violence. The training also includes discussion 

on overcoming the roadblocks that often discourage the reporting of behaviors and threats, and who may be 

contacted in case of such an incident. Flashpoint is a prequel for the Active Shooter Program. 

Studies of active shooter incidents have shown that a person’s behavior and actions have a 

tremendous impact on their chances of survival. The Active Shooter Program put on by Public 

Safety teaches appropriate responses and survival techniques. Attendees learn the University’s 

extensive communications systems, how they may be used and how the area police departments will 

respond to the report of an active shooter. Ferris Public Safety reaches beyond the University 

community by partnering with the Big Rapids City Police Department and the Mecosta County 

Sheriff in putting on active shooter training and live demonstrations for the Mecosta County Area 

Chamber of Commerce Leadership Mecosta Public Safety Day program. 

Personal and Professional Preparedness Education in Ferris and 

Extended Communities 

“When someone’s heart is at home their heads aren’t in their work,” Director Bledsoe has often 

remarked to people he has helped prepare for an emergency. It is well documented that workers who 

are not given guidance on how to care for matters at home during an emergency have a real struggle 

staying on the job during critical times when their work organization needs them most. Also, people 

who are trained on what to expect and how to respond are much safer and more helpful to others 

during a critical incident of whatever type. It’s for these reasons and others that public safety 

professionals regularly help to orient new employees to Ferris and other community leaders how to 

best prepare for and respond to emergencies. The practical and secondary benefits to our institution 

and all of those in close and distant contact cannot be overstated. 

www.do1thing.us 

A StormReady® 

www.do1thing.us 

University 

29

StormReady University 

In November 2012, the National Weather Service renewed FSU's designation as a 

StormReady University for our continued commitment to weather preparedness and safety. 

The renewal effort was achieved through a partnership between the Ferris Police Department, 

the Manager of Employee Safety and Training - Mike McKay and Social Science Department 

Head, Dr. Tom Behler. Ferris is one of six universities in Michigan and of 121 universities 

nationwide that has been recognized with this designation. 

Emergency Operations Plan 

In 2012, the Department of Public Safety rolled out Ferris State 

University’s new Emergency Operations Plan. The new plan 

incorporates the framework established by the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency (FEMA). The document replaces the Marsh 

Plan, which was “incident specific.” In other words, there was a 

specific response designed for each emergency. It was discovered 

that the former plan had considerable duplication of effort, so the 

new plan was designed. The new plan identifies seventeen 

Emergency Support Functions (ESF) that are critical in keeping 

the University running. Each section has a manager assigned to it, 

and those managers make up the Emergency Response Team 

(ERT).The new plan was introduced to the ERT early in the year, 

and they were trained in its use during a table top exercise in late 

spring. During the summer, the plan was loaded on the MyFSU 

website. This allowed members of the Emergency Response 

Team, Building Coordinators and members of the President’s 

Council direct access. 

30 

Team members were awarded a 

certificate and an outdoor sign 

to be posted at the University. 

Ferris State University 

Emergency 

Operations Plan 

February 10, 2012

Police Operations 

The Ferris State University Department of Public Safety (DPS) has served the students, faculty and 

staff since the uniformed and armed officers first took their oath in 1958. The officers are licensed 

by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and have the authority and 

responsibility to investigate, search, arrest and use reasonable force as necessary to protect people 

and property and to enforce the laws of the State of Michigan and the Ordinances of the University. 

Police operations is one of the three areas of responsibility for the department; parking resource 

management and emergency management make up the other two. The officers regularly practice 

community policing ideas and are each assigned to specific resident halls and apartment complexes 

to further enhance the officers contact with students. DPS officers regularly present programs to 

students and staff that are designed to enhance safety and security across campus. 

Student employees round out our service based response for the university. Students staff our 

dispatch center which monitors intrusion, robbery, fire, elevator, temperature and maintenance 

alarms for University buildings. Students also work in areas of parking enforcement, clerical, 

special events and foot patrol where they provide escorts and assist patrol officers during the 

evening hours. 

Police operations seeks to fulfill the department statement of purpose every day the officers work. 

Our goal is to serve and protect the students, faculty, staff and visitors of the University and to 

further the academic pursuits of FSU in two ways: actually keeping people and property safe and in 

helping to create an environment where people feel completely safe. 

The department has a cooperative relationship and works closely with the Big Rapids Police, 

Mecosta County Sheriff and other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. 

31

MM 

Officers conduct various training programs 

in their effort to educate Com students regarding 

criminal behavior and safety. Programs 

offered include: Alcohol/Drug awareness, 

Identity Theft, Sexual Assault, RAD and 

Pedestrian Safety. 

Distracted Driving Simulator 

During the month of September, AAA insurance 

company provided Ferris State Public Safety with a 

Distracted Driving Simulator. This simulator was used 

in the residence halls to show our students firsthand the 

dangers of distracted driving. Numerous resident halls 

participated in this program. The Mecosta County 

Sheriff's Office also used the simulator in all of the 

county High schools to educate their students as well. 

Community Policing 

Ferris State Public Safety realizes and believes in the philosophy of Community Policing. Ferris State 

Public Safety continues with the Adopt-a-hall program, in which a specific officer is assigned to an 

individual hall. This effort has served well with building positive relationships with the students we serve 

as well as faculty staff. 

These officers continue to develop and present educational programming to our students, employees and 

other community organizations. 

Community Policing Coordinator 

Officer Nick Greenway was appointed 

Community Policing Coordinator in the 

summer of 2009. Officer Greenway has 

four years prior police service before 

joining the department in 2007. 

32 

Officer Nick Greenway 

MICHIGAN 

TRAFFIC SAFETY SUMMIT 

PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY 

WORKSHOP 

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY 

A CASE STUDY 

FEBRUARY 28, 2006

Parking Management 

Student Appeals Committee 

To better serve the students at Ferris, the Police Department established a student led volunteer 

group to hear and decide what the outcome should be for any parking ticket appeal filed. 

Parking Clerk Carla Hatfield serves as the advisor to the group. 

On-line Vehicle Registration and Citation Payments 

Beginning Fall Semester 2011, on line vehicle registration and citation payments through 

MyFSU and our web site was offered. The customer information for the Ferris State 

University employees and students is now pulled into our parking system directly from 

Banner. This allows our system to make the determination if the employee is full or part-time 

and if the student lives in an on campus apartment, residence hall or commutes to the 

University and assigns the parking permit accordingly. 

The citation payments can also be paid on-line through MyFSU for the employees, students 

and anyone else wishing to make a payment through our website. This has eliminated the need 

for individuals to come into our office or to mail in their payment. 

Parking Resource Management Program 

Another impressive statistic is being realized in our program to significantly improve parking 

at Ferris. An intensive focus of several years is now netting us a reduction in numbers of 

tickets needing to be issued at almost 60%! Compliance and resource availability is taking the 

place of widespread ticketing. Ticketing is a necessity to protect what people have paid to use 

but it can be a catalyst to a difficult relationship with much of the public unless problems are 

treated proactively. 

The ongoing effort continues for fairness and justice in the ways that appeals are handled. We 

have recruited Ferris students interested in serving on an appeals board to hear and act on 

parking violation appeals. A DPS staff member or other Ferris employee works with the 

students hearing appeals to answer any of the students’ questions about points of law or proper 

procedure. The students’ decisions are final on the individual appeals and their suggestions for 

signage or procedural changes are offered and most often incorporated. 

33

Vehicle Registration 

Parking is always an important issue on campus because of the large number of vehicles and 

various types of vehicle operators. Students, faculty, staff, visitors, vendors and service personnel 

need to have their parking needs coordinated in a fair and consistent manner. In 

2011/2012, 5,893 annual parking permits were issued to students. In addition, 732 temporary 

and part time parking permits were issued to students. 

Three-Year Vehicle Registration Snapshot 

*Renewed in total every other year. 

**Motorcycles - Student (9)/Faculty Staff (49) 

Fiscal Year-July to June 

09/10 10/11 11/12 

Commuters 3271 3359 3407 

Residence Hall 2319 1841 1929 

Campus Apartments 349 541 557 

Faculty/Staff* 1197 191 1,522 

Part Time Students 118 137 165 

Motorcycle** 88 49 58 

Three-Year Parking Violations Issued/Revenue 

Fiscal Year-July to June 

09/10 10/11 11/12 

Parking Violations 15,390 13,996 13,291 

Revenue 274,175 274,800 289,282 

Important Note: The trend to gain compliance and increase service capability results in 

fewer violations. This is a very favorable trend which takes a huge 

commitment to accomplish. 

34

Criminal and Non-Criminal Activity 

The University experienced a 4% increase in the total number of criminal complaints investigated in 

2012; 547 complaints versus 527 in 2011. The most prominent increase was for larceny. There was 

a 3% decrease in the total number of non-criminal complaints investigated; 733 versus 760 in 2011. 

Five and ten year comparisons show significant drops in crime for all categories. 

Two Year Comparison- Criminal 

TYPE 

CRIMINAL 

1/1 ‐ 12/31/2012 1/1 ‐ 12/31/2011 DIF 

Criminal Sexual Assault 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , Other 4 8 ‐4 

Nonaggravated Assault 20 17 3 

Aggravated Assault 

09/10 

2 

10/11 

2 

11/12 

0 

Inmidaon/Stalking 

Commuters 3271 3359 2 3407 2 0 

Residence Hall 

Burglary 

Campus Apartments 

Larceny Faculty/Staff* 

Robbery Part Time Students 

2319 

349 

1197 

118 

1841 10 

541 

116 

191 

0 

137 

1929 12 

557 

75 

1,522 

0 

165 

‐2 

41 

0 

Motor Motorcycle** Vehicle The 

88 49 1 0 58 1 

Fraud/Forgery 

18 11 7 

Stolen Property 

4 0 4 

Damage to Property 

37 59 ‐12 

Violaon of Control Substance 

111 90 21 

Obscenity 

0 1 ‐1 

Family – Other 

1 0 1 

Liquor Violaon 

85 92 ‐7 

Obstrucng Jusce/Obstrucng Police 

37 40 ‐3 

Weapons Offense 

4 3 1 

Disorderly Conduct/Public Peace 

27 35 ‐8 

Hit & Run Vehicle Accident 

25 33 ‐8 

OWI 

40 37 3 

Trespass 

0 8 ‐8 

Miscellaneous Criminal Offense 

3 2 1 

TOTAL CRIMINAL 

547 527 

35

MM M 

Two Year Comparison – Non-Criminal 

NON CRIMINAL 1/1 - 12/31/2012 1/1 - 12/31/2011 DIF 

Accident, Fire 1 2 

Hazardous Condition 0 0 

Accident, All Other 5 6 

Fire Alarm – False 18 35 

Civil Matters/Family Trouble 27 14 

Suspicious Situations 51 79 

Lost & Found Property 130 108 

False Intrusion Alarm 33 56 

Property Inspection 30 40 

Assist 227 231 

Parking Violations – Civil 12 10 

Traffic Violations Civil/Misdemeanor 63 44 

Traffic Accidents 6 9 

Private Property Non Traffic 29 28 

Accidental Fire 0 0 

Juvenile Offense (Except Runaway) 1 2 

Mental Health 7 6 

General Information 64 68 

FSU Admin Violation 25 17 

Loud Noise 2 2 

Missing Persons 2 3 

TOTAL NON CRIMINAL 733 760 

YEAR END TOTAL 1280 1287 

Five & Ten Year Crime Trends 

Difference 

2003 2007 2012 2003 2007 

Criminal Investigations 765 486 547 -218 61 

Criminal & Non Criminal 1596 1293 1280 -316 13 

Incident Summary All Activity 3838 3215 3627 -244 412 

36


DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY 

Vehicle Registration – Commuters i 

Vehicle Registration – Residence Halls ii 

Vehicle Registration – Campus Apartments iii 

Vehicle Registration 

2012

5500 

5000 

4500 

4000 

3500 

3000 

2500 

2000 

1500 

1000 

500 

0 

2577 

2778 

2966 

3199 

FSU DPS VEHICLE REGISTRATION 

Commuters 

2953 

02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 

i 

3269 

2002/2003 THROUGH 2011/2012 

2959 

3271 

3359 

3572

3000 

2500 

2000 

1500 

1000 

500 

0 

2514 

2934 

2775 

2373 


Residence Halls 

2584 

02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 

ii 

2706 

2002/2003 THROUGH 2011/2012 

2549 

2319 

1841 

1929

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

446 

437 

395 

204 


Campus Apartments 

399 

02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 

iii 

452 

2002/2003THROUGH 20112012 

449 

349 

541 

557


DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY 

Criminal Investigation Reports Summary i 

Incident Summary – (All Activity) ii 

Arrests iii 

Criminal and Non-criminal Statistics 

2012

900 

800 

700 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

810 

FSU DPS CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION REPORTS SUMMARY 

765 748 

621 

567 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 

i 

486 

2002 THROUGH 2012 

445 445 

489 

527 

547

5000 

4000 

3000 

2000 

1000 

0 

3838 

3961 

3596 

3348 

FSU DPS INCIDENT SUMMARY 

All Activity to Dispatch 

3215 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 

ii 

3290 


2744 

2907 

3062 

3509 

3627

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

575 

364 

426 

414 

FSU DPS ARRESTS 

363 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 

iii 

252 


239 

203 

303 

342 

348

Annual Report 2012 Ferris State University Department of P ublic ...

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